How is Varicose Vein Surgery Done

Are you having swollen and twisted veins in your lower legs? Do your legs feel heavy? If yes, then you are probably suffering from varicose veins. Varicose veins are a common medical condition predominantly affecting women and are characterized by enlarged, twisted, and bulging veins that appear reddish or bluish-purple in color giving a spider web appearance. They are commonly seen in your lower legs near the calf region, your ankles, thighs, knees and the inner side of your lower legs. 

These are usually cured through conservative treatments like self-care and compression stockings, but if these methods fail to provide relief, you may require surgery. Read on to know more about the different types of surgical methods to treat varicose veins and how each technique is carried out. 

What are Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are a common medical condition caused due to disturbance of the one-way valve system of the veins that helps the blood flow to the heart from your legs. Due to factors like aging, family history, pregnancy, menopause, obesity (being overweight) and prolonged standing or sitting, your veins may stretch 3 to 5 times more than normal and cause pooling of blood within the affected veins. This increases the pressure within the veins causing them to enlarge and bulge out which spread out giving a spider web appearance. You may experience pain, discomfort, and heaviness in the legs along with itchiness. If left untreated varicose veins may cause venous ulcers and blood clots that may dislodge into the bloodstream and travel to other internal organs causing life-threatening complications. Hence varicose veins need to be treated through lifestyle changes and compression stockings, and if these fail then surgery is recommended. 

How is Varicose Veins Surgery Done?

There are different types of surgical methods to cure varicose veins which are performed in different ways. Pre-procedure preparation and post-procedure care remain the same but the surgical procedure varies according to different techniques. These include:

Pre-procedure 

• Your vascular surgeon will conduct a physical examination of your affected veins and a doppler ultrasound (works on sound waves) to view the veins and the valves better and to check the amount of blood flow.
• Your surgeon will record your detailed medical history to rule out other pre-existing conditions like diabetes (increased blood sugar levels), hypertension (high blood pressure), and other blood disorders. 
• Your social history is recorded to know about habits like smoking and alcohol which help determine the course of surgery and recovery. 
• You should inform your surgeon about any medications (like blood thinners, etc) being taken, or allergies to any drugs, that could interfere with the procedure or recovery. 
• You are advised to fast for at least 6 to 8 hours before surgery. 
• Avoid alcohol at least 24 hours before the procedure.

Procedure 

• • You will be made to lie on the operating table and given general anesthesia. 
  • The area to be operated is exposed and cleansed with an antiseptic solution. 

• Vein Ligation and Stripping

• • • • Two small incisions are made, one at the bottom of the damaged vein (knee) and one at the top of the vein (groin area).
      • The top part of the vein is “tied off” (ligated) to stop the blood flow.
      • A tiny, flexible device is inserted through the damaged vein, to pull it out completely (stripping).
      • Once the vein is removed the incisions are closed with stitches.

• Sclerotherapy

• • • • This involves injecting a chemical solution (sclerosant) into the damaged vein using very fine needles.
      • The concentration and dose of the solution depending on the severity of the condition. 
      •  The chemical injected causes the walls of the veins to stick together to close off the vein and prevent further blood flow through them.

• Endovenous Laser/Thermal Ablation

• This is a minimally invasive (causes less trauma) procedure.

• • • • A beam of lasers is targeted at the affected vein, where the thermal (heat) energy disrupts the walls of the veins, and the body then naturally absorbs the dead tissue and the abnormal veins are destroyed.

• This technique does not require any suturing.

• Radiofrequency Ablation

• • • • This procedure uses radiofrequency energy instead of laser energy to heat up and damage the walls inside the affected vein.

• Endoscopic Vein Surgery

• • • • A medical device is inserted into the affected vein through small incisions made. This device is called an endoscope that consists of a camera and a light source at the end.
      • The endoscope is moved through the veins as a surgical device at the end of the camera closes off the vein.

• Microphlebectomy

• • • Also known as ambulatory phlebectomy, small nicks are made into your skin around the affected vein.
    • A special surgical instrument with a hook is inserted through the incisions (cuts), which removes the damaged vein.
    • You do not require any stitches, but a small surgical bandage is placed over the wound.

Post-procedure care for varicose veins

• You will be kept under observation for an hour or two until the effect of your anesthesia wears off.
• It is normal to experience mild pain, discomfort and swelling that can be managed through pain relief medications.
• Have someone drive you back home since you are not allowed to drive for at least 2 to 3 weeks.
• A compression bandage is placed which needs to be replaced every 2 to 3 days.
• Recovery usually takes around 4 to 6 weeks depending upon the severity of the condition, and the type of surgical technique.
• Resting, proper sleep and a nutritious diet are important for quick healing.
• Being active is important to prevent the formation of blood clots, hence indulge in regular brisk walks for 15 to 20 minutes every day.
• Leg elevation above your heart level is recommended to promote good blood circulation and reduce pressure on the operated leg.
• Avoid the following
  • Strenuous exercises for at least 4 weeks.
  • Swimming for at least 3 to 4 weeks.
  • Hot water baths for at least 3 weeks.
  • Prolonged standing or sitting for the initial few days.
• Use compression stockings for at least a few weeks post-surgery to reduce inflammation and improve blood circulation.
• Follow-up appointments have to be attended to evaluate the status of the operated vein.

Takeaway

Varicose veins need to be treated at the earlier stages since if left untreated they cause life-threatening complications. Conservative treatment (lifestyle changes and compression stockings) is the first line of treatment that can provide relief from symptoms like pain and heaviness in the legs. However, if these methods fail you may require surgery. Vein ligation and stripping are an old surgical method, which is replaced with other minimally invasive procedures like sclerotherapy, endovenous thermal/laser ablation, radiofrequency ablation, endoscopic vein surgery, and microphlebectomy.

If you experience any signs and symptoms of varicose veins, book an appointment with our expert team of vascular surgeons in bangalore at Medfin, to help you with the varicose veins treatment that best suits you.

Useful links: Cost of Varicose veins Surgery in Bangalore.

Disclaimer: 

The content on this site is the copyright of Medfin and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered as a substitute for medical and surgical expertise. Results from any treatments or surgeries are subjective to an individual patient and the type of procedure/ surgery performed. Please seek professional help regarding any medical concerns. Medfin will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.